Chapter 630 - 303:

The three of them didn’t have much trouble reaching the true summit of Lotus Peak.

Lotus Peak itself is not very tall, but since it grows on the Divine Mountain, its actual altitude is much higher than it appears to the naked eye. Even at the end of spring, the peak is still windy and chilly.

Thus, there are no tall trees at the peak, only stones that have bathed in the moonlight for a thousand years and stubborn grass living in the cracks. Among them, the largest stone has been carved into a lotus platform, with a base adorned with patterns that resemble flowing designs.

According to Wangshu, this was the place where she practiced cultivation as a child.

On this lotus platform, one can be directly exposed to the moonlight without any barriers. Bathed in moonlight, it allows one to focus and gather Qi, purify the body and mind, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of cultivation.

However, Ji Lingruo had tried meditating here before and only felt it was all psychological. The actual effect was minimal, unable to withstand the loneliness of the mountaintop; she returned to her room to practice, secretly mocking this aloof Fairy as not being so easy to emulate, while adamantly not admitting her lack of concentration was the reason.

"Senior Sister, you said before this place was meant for your own cultivation, so why make such a large lotus platform?" Ji Lingruo asked curiously, gesturing with her hand, "It’s so big, it could fit the three of us to sleep on, couldn’t it?"

As soon as she asked, she regretted it, turning her head slightly with embarrassment, a blush appearing on her fair face.

"Because when I was little, I disliked sitting still for too long and always wanted to run around. My master set up a restriction technique to keep me focused on cultivation. However, worried I’d feel too stifled, they carved the largest stone into a lotus platform for me."

Wangshu answered truthfully, brushing off the thin dust on the platform, her blue eyes full of reminiscence.

As the two girls chatted, You Su had already summoned the Water Purification Skill to wash the lotus platform clean, then dried it with fire, and finally spread a giant blanket on it, treating it as a bed.

"We’re just appreciating the moon, why be so thorough?" Ji Lingruo squinted her beautiful eyes, scrutinizing You Su’s face.

"Appreciating the moon is a refined art, so it should be done comfortably. It’s my duty, Junior Sister, no need to thank me."

You Su smoothed out the blanket meticulously, smiling warmly. He even prepared pastries and sweet rice porridge, undeniably capturing the essence of moon appreciation perfectly.

Ji Lingruo felt slightly speechless, pondering that she hadn’t intended to thank him anyway.

Though You Su would usually be this attentive, she somehow felt his eagerness today harbored another intention.

Nonetheless, she wasn’t one to endure hardships silently, so she plopped onto the lotus platform, gazing up at the night sky, her white calves swinging happily beneath her skirt.

Wangshu also sat down, but she didn’t sit shoulder to shoulder with Ji Lingruo; instead, she left a space between them.

Ji Lingruo raised an eyebrow, ready to close the gap and not give You Su any chance to squeeze in.

You Su, quick as lightning, sat in the middle before Ji Lingruo could act, squeezing the space originally intended as a buffer.

Seeing You Su succeed, Ji Lingruo protested angrily, "What are you doing? I want to sit with Senior Sister."

Yet You Su simultaneously seized the different-textured hands of both girls, placing them on his thighs, affectionately stroking them, "It’s been a while since I’ve been with Junior Sister, let me sit in the middle, please."

Ji Lingruo pouted, poking You Su’s palm with her fingertip, softly saying:

"Consider yourself lucky..."

Although both girls were You Su’s partners, and they got along well, they had never let You Su enjoy such a delightful moment with each of them on either side.

This was only natural, after all, Ji Lingruo, as the first to be with him, wouldn’t want her lover distracted by another woman when they were together.

Wangshu, not quite understanding these social norms, was often reminded by He Shutong to give Ji Lingruo and You Su space when they’re together, behaving the same when she and You Su were alone. She was obedient, hence always behaved well.

But this time, when Junior Brother suggested the three of them appreciate the moon together, and Junior Sister held her back, she couldn’t be blamed, could she?

The moon above the mountain was smooth as a mirror, translucent like silver, showing no pits or hollows, possessing a serene and tranquil beauty.

The three of them chatted idly, talking about anything and everything. As they talked, they grew tired of sitting and decided to lie down altogether. Their hair intertwined, half white as snow and the other half black as ink.

Inhaling the scent of Senior Sister and Junior Sister’s hair, You Su thought there could be no moment happier than this.

"Time flies so fast; in the blink of an eye, spring is almost over."

Ji Lingruo sat on the rubble, gazing into the distant sky, a hint of melancholy in her raised brows.

"Since when did Junior Sister learn to lament the passage of spring?" You Su teased with a smile.

"So, do you think I’m so coarse and uncultured that I can’t even express a bit of sentiment?" Ji Lingruo retorted angrily, elbowing You Su’s waist.

"I meant no such thing, simply that Junior Sister is only eighteen today and should be looking forward to a bright future rather than lamenting time’s swift passing."

Ji Lingruo also felt You Su made sense. She was advancing rapidly, with years ahead not limited to a hundred; there was no reason to linger over this fleeting separation from her brother.

At that moment, a gust of wind swept over, and the mountaintop, deep in the night, remained somewhat chilly, the wind even more desolate.